An update from your education officer for term two and reflections on standing in an election…
Hello Birkbeck student community and welcome back to term two!
For those of you who are in your first year here at Birkbeck congratulations, you’ve made it through term one and your making progress toward the half way mark for year one!
At this time of year, we have a lot to look ahead to, longer days, are approaching and before long it will be spring. But for now January can be a tough time of the year, it is not always easy to settle back into routine after a break and here at the student union we know that when it is dark and cold and you have a class to attend it can be hard to find the motivation to keep committing to your studies. That is where Birkbeck offers you a number of support structures, to ensure you keep on track and can continue to focus on your learning while also balancing the other important areas of your life, be that your job, family, favourite sport, or caring commitments.
We know that Birkbeck students often juggle a number of commitments and so we want to remind you of the support on offer as we begin the second term.
As your education officer my focus is to ensure you are aware of what academic help is out there and to listen and take note of any feedback or ideas of things that would be helpful for you.
For help with all things study-related:
Study skills offer a drop-in service in person at Malet street as well as online on Wed and Fri between 5-8pm. This is a brilliant opportunity for you to talk about your assessments or classes with a teacher who specialises in study skills.
As well as the study skills drop-ins, you can also contact your department study skills tutors to arrange a one-to-one drop-in where certain feedback can be offered to you to enable you to feel more confident with your workload.
Additionally, there are several workshops running each week through the study skills team that support with specific skills such as, essay planning, essay writing and understanding referencing with a focus on Zotero. For more information on the support that is provided free to all Birkbeck students, head to Study skills - Birkbeck, University of London where you can find out all you need to know including who is your departments assigned study skills tutor.
Wellbeing and pastoral care:
Birkbeck cares about the holistic wellbeing of its student community and offer a number of services to support those experiencing emotional distress, bereavement, mental health conditions and autism as well as anyone who feels they need a safe unjudgmental space to talk. Person centred care is the approach of the Birbeck wellbeing team , they are not here to judge they are here to listen.
The new year might be a time that brings up additional stresses and challenges and if you feel that you need some more support then you can contact the wellbeing team
You can also talk with your GP, or in a crisis dial 111, 999 or the Samaritans 116123.
Taking care of your well-being doesn’t have to be tied to a negative or difficult time in your life. Using tools to support your mental health is a positive preventive measure just like brushing your teeth. Things like gratitude journalling, mindfulness, listening to your favourite music or podcast and taking a walk or a run, having a dance in the kitchen on your own or with friends, or whatever it is that brings you joy, it could be a good book, some TV, building a robot, or video games, it is not selfish to include these things in your daily routines, it isn’t wasted time, it is a paramount part of taking care of yourself and making sure you can thrive and therefore contribute the best of yourself to your community. This will improve your studies and wellbeing.
(NB: The union has been donated a plot of land to use for gardening, at the moment, we are looking for interested students willing to take on the task or rebooting and growing the gardening society. If you are interested, please email su-eduation@bbk.ac.uk for more information on how to help re-grow the society and make the most of the benefits of nature for mental and physical health.)
Events and activities:
As your student union we are here to make your student experience the very best it can be and that includes providing you fun ways to meet new people, learn new skills and have fun while building life long friendships. We have just completed welcome back which saw some great events take place, including a canal walk with MJ, a trip to Chinatown, artwork and a ballet trip.
In relation to events I am very excited that the winners of last terms poetry competition will be performing live at the Keynes Library on the 25th of February between 5-6pm. You can also read the winning poems by visiting our website or popping over to the library.
Maybe I will see some of you there on the 25th, do say hello if you see me 😊
I have been continuing to work on my manifesto and am looking forward to the arrival of the study pod, keep an eye out in the library! Alongside planning is underway for two events this term and I am really looking forward to a new podcast recording with my friend and fellow officer Joy – keep an eye out for the release of this episode in the spring! There has been a lot of work going on to transform the trustee board and we are really looking forward to welcoming student trustees to join us and bring there voices to the union in a different capacity to that of officer and staff. I am always keen to hear from students about ways they feel things relating to academic life could be improved.
During the summer I would love to be able to host an art based competition with the aim of finding a space to produce some wall art, if this is something you would like to support me raising with the estate team please drop me an email at su-education@bbk.ac.uk. I am equally keen to hear the views of disabled students relating to in class and on campus accessibility, if you would be willing to answer some questions for me to collate into feedback for the university again please send me an email and we can set up a teams 😊.
Elections 2026…
As the term restarts, I have been reflecting on my own experience of being an officer and where it all started… elections! Almost one year ago now, I decided, very last minute to stand for the role of education officer. My interest in education was not new, but I was not in a hugely confident place in relation to interacting and fitting in. I worried I was not the ‘right’ person for the role and that others would be better placed then me to represent the student community. It was the encouragement of a friend that saw me submit my application just in time!
As we approach the election season again, I want to take this opportunity to encourage as many of you as possible to consider standing. If you feel passionate about student advocacy and care about improving the lives and learning of the Birkbeck community, this is your moment, this is your opportunity to make real, lasting change. I could not of imagined being elected or the wide range of opportunities this job has given me. To meet new people, push myself outside of my comfort zone and in that learn some new confidence. I have been beyond impressed by the dynamic and versatile nature of the student community and already met so many students I know would make great officers next year and I really hope some of you will be standing. Our union has faced some staff issues this year, which has affected how we can deliver things like student parliament but we will be ensuring you have the chance to hold us officers accountable this term and we hope those of you who care about student politics will think about the office role. As a union we are in a moment of change and transition which offers new officer a brilliant chance to really leave there mark.
Standing in an election can feel scary, but I promise you will be fully supported by the great full-time union team MJ, Parwana, Enia and Misato who are working tirelessly to ensure this is the best election to date and we hope that we will see a large turnout of voters on election days. You will also have your officers on stand byto answer questions and help you where we can.
Myself, Stephen and Joy will be hosting drop-ins relating to elections and one just for postgraduate students so we do hope to see some of you then.
While I cannot say this is an easy job, or that you will be able to do all the things you hope when you write a manifesto, but I promise you will be listened to by the University supported by staff and given a platform to ensure Birkbeck students have the best experience they can during there time here. The union is a place for ideas, creativity, inclusion and advocacy, if these things matter to you then we need you. Be it to stand as a candidate, support a friend, or simply taking the time to turn out and VOTE.
As a union we rely on your engagement; we need you to participate to ensure the legitimacy of our officers and services, to show the university we are needed.
We are your union; this is your moment to get involved.
Find our more about officer elections 2026 and don’t forget to VOTE!
Drop me an email at su-education@bbk.ac.uk
Last of all, have a fantastic term, you can do this, you have made it to term two keep going, we are all rooting for you.
Your Student Union Education Officer, Hattie Brock